IIBA-AAC exam-day guide
IIBA-AAC · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID name that matches your registration. If your registration name differs even slightly (middle name, hyphenation), contact the provider before test day to correct it rather than hoping the proctor will accept it.
Appointment confirmation and test-window details
Save a screenshot or printout of your scheduling confirmation, including start time, time zone, and delivery method (in-person test center or online-proctored). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted at check-in.
Know your exam delivery format and platform
Confirm whether you sit for the exam at a test center or via online proctoring, and review that platform's system or room requirements in advance. Requirements differ by provider, so verify specifics with the provider rather than assuming.
Review the current exam blueprint and format
Re-read the official exam content outline and confirm the current question count, time limit, and any scaled-score or passing-standard information directly from the provider. Do not rely on secondhand summaries.
Confirm allowed reference materials
Determine whether any reference materials, scratch paper, or calculator are permitted, and how they are supplied. Policies vary; confirm with the provider before the test.
Prepare your testing environment (online-proctored only)
A private, quiet room, a cleared desk, working webcam and microphone, and a stable internet connection are typical requirements. Verify the exact room and equipment rules with the provider, as they are strict and enforced.
Plan arrival and buffer time
For a test center, arrive earlier than your appointment to allow for check-in and security screening; for online delivery, log in early to complete identity verification. Confirm the recommended arrival or login window with the provider.
Comfort and focus basics
Get normal sleep, eat a light meal beforehand, and bring water only if the provider permits it. Avoid cramming new material in the final hours; review your own summary notes instead.
Know what happens if technology fails
Before starting, note the provider's support contact or help process for technical issues during an online exam. Confirm the procedure with the provider so you know whom to reach and how a disruption is handled.
Understand break and scoring rules in advance
Confirm whether breaks are allowed, whether the clock stops, and how the exam is scored. These details are provider-specific; verify them from official sources before test day.
Plan the day
Shift from learning to consolidating. Review your own condensed notes on the major knowledge areas in the exam blueprint, focusing on techniques you can apply to scenario-based questions rather than memorizing definitions. Re-read the official exam content outline and confirm the format, time limit, and any scoring information from the provider. Take one timed practice set under realistic conditions to calibrate your pace, then review only the questions you missed and why. Stop introducing new topics after this point.
Confirm logistics: re-check your appointment time, time zone, delivery method, and ID requirements. Pack your ID and confirmation. If testing online, run the platform's system check and prepare your room; if at a center, plan your route and arrival buffer. Do a light review of high-level frameworks and your personal list of common traps, then stop studying early enough to sleep well. Avoid last-minute cramming, which tends to increase anxiety without improving performance.
Eat a normal meal, hydrate moderately, and arrive or log in with buffer time. Complete check-in calmly and follow proctor instructions exactly. Do not attempt to review large amounts of material; skim only a one-page summary if it helps you feel settled. Keep your ID and confirmation within reach.
Read each scenario carefully and identify what the question is actually asking before evaluating options. For scenario-based items, prefer answers that reflect collaborative, iterative, and value-focused analysis over rigid or purely document-driven approaches. Answer the questions you are confident about first, flag uncertain ones, and return to them if the platform allows. Watch the clock and allocate time so you can review flagged items near the end. If a technical problem occurs, stop and contact support per the provider's procedure rather than continuing blindly.
Rules to check
Present valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. If there is any mismatch, resolve it with the provider before test day.
Follow all proctor and test-center instructions, including any security screening, room checks, and rules about items permitted at your desk. Confirm the specific permitted-items list with the provider.
Do not use unauthorized materials, communicate with others, or attempt to capture or share exam content. Treat all exam questions as confidential.
Confirm the break policy with the provider before the exam; if breaks are allowed, understand whether the timer continues to run during them.
Understand how the exam is scored and what the passing standard is by checking the provider's official information, rather than relying on assumptions.
If a technical issue interrupts an online exam, follow the provider's documented support procedure; confirm that procedure in advance.
Arrive or log in early enough to complete check-in without rushing; late arrival policies are provider-specific, so verify them beforehand.